How social settings affect alcohol use and risk in young adults
Official title: Multi-method investigation of social facilitation of alcohol effects and alcohol misuse in young adults
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11394392 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how drinking with others changes how alcohol affects people, with the goal of reducing risky drinking in young adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $656,614 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031240-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394392 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young adults who consume alcohol and participate in social drinking contexts.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not engaging in social drinking or outside the study's age group may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at a major university will explore how social contexts influence how alcohol feels and how much young adults drink. The project uses lab sessions where participants drink with a friend or alone, while researchers measure mood and behavior and code conversations. The study aims to understand why social situations may increase the rewarding effects of alcohol and how this relates to future risk for alcohol misuse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform strategies to reduce risky drinking and AUD risk among young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows social contexts alter alcohol effects, supporting potential for impactful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pang, Raina — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Pang, Raina
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.